Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-09-24
Terrible Scenes in London.
TIE STARVING THOUSANDS WHO WILL YET MAKE
TROUBLE.

Terrible Scenes in London.
TIE STARVING THOUSANDS WHO WILL YET MAKE
TROUBLE.
London Cable to the New York SUM-
Stories have been told for days past OF unhappy
wretches sleeping by dozens upon the stones for
lack OF lodging, and 1t seemed that the few reports
published OF the matter must have been colored
by strong imaginations. Visited Trafalgar Square
this morning at 2:30, upon leaving the house Of
commons, and learned that the accounts
Whlcn mad reaa gave but weak idea OF
the real condition OF affairs. 1t was a bleak
night, With thin, cold rain drlzzling down at in
tervals, and tie air was full OF dampness. At a
distance the huge square, all paved with stone
and delighted, appeared deserted but everything
changed on nearer acqu Aintance, and 1t became
evident that from his majestic column shooting
high up into the air the one-armed figure OF Nell
son looked down upon huge encampment of
degradation filth and poverty. Not less than
Thousand miserable human beings were crowded
dtogether on the damp stones OF the square.
Illness In their poverty, were gathered around the
edge OF the big fountains, washing themselves or
naked to the waist washing his shirt. When
LETT he was still naked, alternately wringtng
his shirt and hanging 1t up to dry trying all
OF devices to protect it from the misty rain. A
young man, having stripped himself quite naked,
was taking complete bath, but a prudence, wise
IN SUCH company. kept him ever close TO the edge
OF his stone tub, with his scanty raiment held
firmly Ia his grasp. Those who INDUCED In foot
baths were many. The approved plan appeared
any-stockings OF any sort scented out OF the ques-
uon-and 10 take up comfortable a position as
possible on the edge Of the basE and. with trous-
ers or shirts held up to allow the feet to dange in
the water until swelling and pain should have
ceased to worry by sheer process OF freezing.
There were others still more plentiful. especially
among the women, engaged in washing out vari.
GUS bits OF linen. One very straight old man who
looked as though be might have been In the army,
binGanDa handkerchief, in which all or his re-
naming pride was evidently conferred very
lew, whose heroisln cannOt he overestimated CON
sidei1ng The condition or the water In the foun-
talns, were washing their faces or even dippinr
their heads completely under. In the different
parts or the tbickly crowded square was seen all
most every branch or housekeeping open to ex-
IRENE poverty, for while the ma ority were sleep
ng or trying TO sleep, Others were engaged in oc-
equations specially adapted to the night.
An example OF industry and resi- ynatIOn was af-
forded by an old woman and ner husband sitting
side by side under one OF the few lights. The old
woman was hard at work mend1ng something
The Old man, who sat very quiet, had his legs
wrapped up 10 bits OF newspaper fastened here
ana taere Win strings II was the garment that
which is so absolutely indispensable In the day
time, upon Which the Old mans companion was
tested her husband and made newspaper sub
stitutes possible. The active members of
this TIM a misery camp were gathered about the
grand dormitory was on the north side, where
Pail Mail bounding the stony expanse. rises
high wall. Against this wail the sleepers Law in
long rows four, i've, and in some places as many
as ten deep, seeking protection from the chilling
Wlnd that blew from the north. There were
few wooden benches scattered along and these
had 6een eagerly sought early in the night
but one lucky tenant stretched comfortably
out, and always displaying a breadth Of
back and thickness OF limb that proved him able
to maintain his rare privileges galnst all clainor-
ers for fair play. The majority, however, were
crowded with men and women sitting closely
packed oa SIDE by side sleeping with mouths open
sight Those on the benches, however, were the
lucky ones, the aristocrats Of the dormitory. A
stones, with their heads upon a rolled garment
a newspaper, or resting simply on the sleeper's
arm.
a sadly large number were women, especially
among those least comfortably placed. The
majority were ra.her under middle age, some
barely twenty, with miserable rags matted hair,
bad faces, and every sign OF degradation. There
Was one striking exception noticed by me to the
general rule OF evident debasement among the
shockngly Clad, lying upon her back on the
stones. apparently asleep, and holding in
her her arms a baby thinner and paler,
mother sadly needed for herself. Luckily, the
child was not doomed 10 pass the night there, for
the women awoke the mother, and, after a few
carried it oil. These men have been engaged aged
dren to whom such exposure might mean
SPECIFY Oeatn. Inc men went away with that
baby and two others which they had gathered up,
AID drove on In van. Alter they had gone, the
mother wrapped herself in shawl, which they
had Lett but did not lie down or go to sleep again:
She still sat rocking herself backward and forward
when last saw her. Her history, II 1t could be
known, would certainly have revealed degree or
misery rare even In such collection OF wretched-
ness. The picture which she presented, lament
Ing her baby On cold Stones was one calculated,
while 1t Lasted, to make one feel uncomfortable
even under the warlnest OF blankets.
have said that reports read by me of this den
OF misery failed to give any true idea OF it That
Wnlcu nave written falls as completely to do so.
TO know the present wretchedness OF the London
poor, and TO gain an idea OF what 1t will be with
The cold winter added, 1t was necessary to look
upon that horrible crowd OF men and women, every
one in the last stages OF poverty lacking in every
lining that makes life Dearabe, and without
any nope but in disorder or outrage OF some sort
that might enable them to seize upon q share OF
the wealth piled up to tempt them on every SIDE
There Will be labor troubles here this winter unless
some radical step be taken, and 1t will need no
very clever argument to persuade poor devils with
empty stomachs and cold limbs that society owes
them something more than that which 1t has not
given them.
The Rage fer Decorated INTERIOR.
From the New York Tribune